a usual customer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a usual customer" is not commonly used in written English; "a regular customer" is more appropriate.
You can use it when referring to someone who frequently visits a business or establishment. Example: "As a usual customer, I expect a certain level of service when I visit the café."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

An example would be paying a usual customer about information they may have about a competitor.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But this group seemed slightly different from the usual customer base: a group of well-to-do-looking Middle Eastern ladies who presumably made the decision to hire the pedibus without even being drunk.

Vice

But this group seemed slightly different to the usual customer base: a group of well-to-do looking Middle Eastern ladies who seemed to have made the decision to hire the pedibus without even being drunk.

Vice

Argosy had to reduce capacity on four of its boats, said Maureen Black, a spokeswoman for the company, but still had plenty of room to accommodate its usual customer base.

The New York Times

Store employees and officials reported slower than usual customer traffic for this time of year.

The New York Times

They established an IT system to automate the rules by running an algorithm over every transaction in each account to see whether it fitted the usual customer profile.

The Guardian

The real challenge may be in reaching customers at stores, dams and the D.M.V., people away from its usual customer base of network engineers.

The New York Times

"Currently, our information centre regarding PlayStation Vita as well as our usual customer service centre are receiving many enquiries.

BBC

For years The Waste has been on the verge of collapse, held back by a lack of investment, a series of rent hikes and the displacement of its usual customers.

Vice

Her usual customers live in Riverview Towers, a complex of four buildings that are among the tallest in the city.

The New York Times

Page B3 A CAMPAIGN'S BROAD EYE The business software company SAP will announce a global advertising campaign this week called "Run Like Never Before" meant to reach high-level executives and I.T. managers, their usual customers, and smaller businesses as well, and maybe even a stray consumer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If using "a usual customer", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to someone who patronizes the business often.

Common error

Avoid using "a usual customer" interchangeably with "a regular customer" without considering the specific context. While understandable, "a usual customer" may sound slightly awkward to native English speakers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a usual customer" functions as a noun phrase, where "usual" modifies the noun "customer". While grammatically sound, Ludwig AI indicates that it is less common than alternatives like "regular customer". Examples in the provided data show its occasional use in describing customer bases or individual patrons.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a usual customer" is technically correct, it is not the most common or preferred way to describe a frequent customer. Ludwig AI suggests "a regular customer" as a more appropriate alternative for clarity and common usage. The phrase functions as a noun phrase and its primary purpose is to identify a customer who frequently patronizes a particular business. It has a neutral register and appears mostly in News & Media contexts. Therefore, while understandable, opting for the more conventional phrasing is advisable for enhanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a regular patron

Replaces "customer" with "patron", implying a more established and loyal relationship with the business.

a frequent client

Substitutes "customer" with "client", often used in professional service contexts.

an established customer

Emphasizes the length and stability of the customer relationship.

a returning customer

Highlights the fact that the customer has made repeat purchases or visits.

a common customer

Focuses on the typical or ordinary nature of the customer.

a typical client

Similar to 'frequent client' but focuses on typicality.

a steady customer

Implies reliability and consistency in the customer's patronage.

a known customer

Suggests that the business is familiar with the customer.

a repeat buyer

Focuses specifically on repeat purchases.

a usual suspect

Plays on an idiomatic expression; less directly related but implies familiarity.

FAQs

What's a more common way to say "a usual customer"?

Alternatives like "a regular customer" or "a frequent customer" are more widely used and generally preferred.

Is "a usual customer" grammatically incorrect?

No, "a usual customer" isn't grammatically incorrect, but it's less common and may sound slightly unnatural compared to "a regular customer".

Can I use "a usual customer" in formal writing?

While technically acceptable, it's advisable to opt for "a regular customer" or "a frequent customer" in formal contexts to ensure clarity and adherence to standard English usage.

What's the difference between "a usual customer" and "a typical customer"?

"A usual customer" refers to someone who frequents a business, while "a typical customer" describes a customer representative of a broader demographic or pattern.